Copyright: Copyright © Know-it 1996
Citation: Copyright © Know-it 1996


Contents
Environs™ version 2.0

©KNOW-IT, 1996  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contents

Introduction

Controling Your Audio Environment

Saving and Loading Your Audio Environment Scenarios

Automatic Operation

Registration

Your License

Know-It


Introduction

Environs™ v2.0 allows you to create a dynamic life-like audio environment around your computer.  You can choose from numerous different background sounds mixed together with assorted random sounds to create a complete audio atmosphere.  Great for blocking those disturbing noises around your office, cubicle, home or  apartment.  If you have a laptop with sound capabilities, you can even take it with you on the road, to give you some peaceful rest in your hotel room.  White noise has been used in hospitals, zoos, and other institutions to increase relaxation and decrease stress.  Great tool to break the tension or make you feel like your somewhere else!

WIth Environs™ 2.0, you can select from 23 different background sounds as underlying base for your audio theme.  You can even select up to three at a time to be mixed together.  Next, select up to  25 different single event sounds to add randomly to your background.  For each sound, you can decide if you want it to happen frequently, occassionally, rarely, or never.  You can also adjust the volume of both background sounds and the event sounds as you prefer, without affecting your basic computer settings. Nearly unlimited combinations can be created as you design your own audio world.  Once you have it just the way you like it, you can save the settings as an 'Environs Scenario' for easy recall later.  Create as many scenarios as you want.

You can also specify your favorite scenario to be automatically loaded on startup, and by placing Environs™ in your Windows Startup folder, your audio atmospheer is renewed each time you boot your system.  Even when Environs™ is minimized, you still have access to the master controls of MUTE and PLAY so you can temporarily pause the sound if needed and continue later.

This program utilizes the DirectSound™  technology which is a subset Microsoft DirectX™.  Both products are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.  DirectSound™ version 2.0 or newer must be installed on your 32-bit Windows system.  A separate installation kit for DirectSound™ is available at the same location as the Environs™ kit.  The Environs™ v2.0 software also uses the runtime libraries MFC40.DLL and MSVCRT40.DLL.  These are included in the Environs™ v2.0 installation kit.

NOTE: Usage of Environs™ blocks other sound events in Windows that use WAVE format sounds directly.  Other programs using DirectSound™ will assume control of the sound output based on foreground focus.


Controling Your Audio Environment

It is very easy to change the controls for Environs™.

 Any background sound may be activated by simply clicking on the check box next to the desired background sound.  Only three background sounds at a time may be selected.  If an additional background sound is attempted, a message will inform you that you have to uncheck a currently selected background in order to select a new one.   Here is an example of selected background sound:

In some scenarios, you may not desire any background noise and only use random additions.

Any number of  random addition sounds may be selected.  For each random addition you wish to hear, you specify the frequency or how often you want the sound to occur.  One the range has been selected, Environs™ will randomly select an interval in that range each time.  This results in a dynamic life-like audio environment.  Here is an example of a random addition selection:

You can also vary the volume for background sounds and for random sounds individually using these controls:

Changing these volume controls does not affect your overall system's WAVE volume level.  If the overall level of sound is too loud or too soft, you may need to use your system WAVE volume control to adjust this level.

Other controls include:

 	This is used to stop all sounds, reset the selections, and reset volume levels.

These buttons are used to temporarily halt all sound output from the system or (after MUTing),  restore it to normal.  This is useful if the phone rings, someone walks in your office, or any other need to stop the sound tempoarily without losing your settings.  This also frees the WAVE device if you need to use other sound programs.

Another master control setting is the 'Boost Process Priority' checkbox.  If checked, the priority of this application is set to HIGH.  This may help in instances where the sound is frequently paused due to system activity.  However, some intensive activities will always interupt the sounds on slower systems.


Saving and Loading Scenarios

Once you have the sound selections the way you like them, you can save them in a file for later recall.  You can activate the save option by either:

right click anywhere on the screen to bring up the pop-up menu, or use the menu at the top of the screen and select SAVE.  You can call the file any name you like.  You do not need to specify an extension to the filename, unless you wish to.  The default file extension is '.evn'.  This extension was registered with Windows when your software was installed.  You can activate any saved scenario file by:

1) Using the Load option in the program.

2) Dragging the file onto the Environs2.exe program.

3) Double click on any .evn file.

You can also specify any saved scenario file to be automatically loaded at startup time.

Scenario files may  and should shared freely with others.


Automatic Operation

You can specify any saved scenario file to be automatically loaded and start playing when Environs™ is invoked.  To specify a file, use these controls:

Simply enter the full path and name of the scenario file, or use the Browse button to find the file desired.  Next, enable the automatic startup by clicking on the Enable check box.


Know-it End User License

END USER SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT

ATTENTION:  PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT

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About Know-It

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Registration

Environs v2.0 comes in demonstration mode.  It will run fully featured for five minutes allowing a complete investigation of all features.  In order to run longer than five minutes, the program must be purchased requiring registration and a fee.  To purchase, send $19.95 (U.S. funds), and your name as shown in the registration panel or at the bottom of the About window to:

Know-It  / Environs v2.0

14651 Dallas Parkway #404

Addison, TX 75240

USA

You can send personal checks, money orders, cashiers checks, etc..   Credit card purchases not available at this time.  Make checks payable to 'Know-It'.  Texas residents please add sales tax ($1.65).